What was the purpose of a palaestra?
Q: What was the purpose of a palaestra?
A: A palaestra was the place where Greek athletes trained for and practiced wrestling, the pankration, and sometimes boxing.
Q: When was the palaestra at Olympia built?
A: The palaestra at Olympia was built sometime in the third century BC.
Q: Where is the palaestra located in relation to the gymnasion?
A: The palaestra at Olympia is north of the gymnasion.
Q: How large is it?
A: The sides of the square-shaped structure are each about 66 meters long.
Q: What materials were used to construct its walls?
A: The lower part of its outer walls were made of stone and the upper part of brick.
Q: What activities took place inside?
A: Inside was a sand-covered yard open to sky surrounded by colonnades on all four sides, as well as rooms for dressing and undressing, rubbing with oil, dusting with powder or sand, meeting friends, and storing equipment. There was also a tub in one corner that could be used for cold baths.
Q: Was it ever restored?
A: In 1955–56, the German Archaeological Institute partly restored it; however complete restoration is not possible because many columns have been destroyed.
